Dogs are very prone to gum disease, gingivitis and plaque and tartar accumulation on the teeth, so if a dog owner fails to brush the dog's teeth, this will lead to some serious problems like inflamed, infected gums or your dog could end up with a painful abscessed tooth.
The solution? Brushing a dog's teeth daily will prevent tartar and plaque accumulation, while lowering the dog's chances of developing gum disease, gingivitis or abscessed teeth. In turn, this cuts costs associated with veterinary bills, since it will be less likely that the dog will need to go under anesthesia for a tooth extraction or dental cleaning.
Another benefit? Regularly brushing a dog's teeth helps cure bad breath, giving the term "dog breath" a new meaning.
How to Get a Dog Accustomed to Teeth Brushings
Dog owners must remember that if the dog has never had his teeth brushed before, it will take time for the dog to get used to daily brushings. The key for successful dog tooth brushing is to introduce the dog to the process gradually, while keeping the process as pleasant and non-threatening as possible for the dog.
Consider the following steps for starting a routine for brushing a dog's teeth:
- Purchase Dog Toothpaste - A visit to a pet supply store like Petco or Petsmart will reveal an array of toothpaste for dogs. Most dogs prefer chicken or other meat-flavored toothpaste; a few dogs will tolerate a vanilla mint flavored toothpaste that's available from a few brands like CET Virbac.
- Purchase a Finger Toothbrush and a Normal Dog Toothbrush - The pet owner should also select a finger toothbrush - a rubber finger puppet-like contraption that is placed over the finger for use as a toothbrush. A finger toothbrush will be required for the first few weeks, as many dogs get frightened by a normal dog toothbrush in the beginning. Select a finger toothbrush and normal dog toothbrush that's the proper size for the dog's mouth.
- Brush the Dog's Teeth With Your Finger - Get the dog accustomed to the taste of the toothpaste by using a finger to rub the toothpaste on the dog's teeth and gums. This will also help the dog get used to having an object inside his mouth.
- Brush the Dog's Teeth With the Finger Toothbrush - Once the dog is comfortable with a finger rubbing toothpaste on his gums and teeth, introduce the finger toothbrush and begin brushing the dog's teeth daily.
- Brush the Dog's Teeth Using a Normal Toothbrush for Dogs - Once the dog is comfortable with the finger toothbrush, switch over to using the normal "human-style" toothbrush.
Notably, it can take several weeks or more to get a dog used to regular toothbrushing.
When brushing a dog's teeth, it's important to brush the dog's teeth as soon as possible after each meal. Several hours after a meal, tartar begins to form on the dog's teeth and the only way to remove that tartar is with a dental cleaning performed under general anesthesia at the veterinarian's office.
So to limit the formation of tartar on a dog's teeth, brush the dog's teeth soon after eating. Regular tooth brushing will also help fix bad breath in dogs, as toothbrushing reduces the amount of bacteria in the mouth and gums.
For more information on tooth and gum problems in dogs, read Periodontal Disease and Gingivitis in Dogs.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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